Shoplifting falls in West Mercia going against the national picture
Shoplifting is ‘out of control’ according to a national report from the British Retail Consortium (BRC). Whilst West Mercia bucks the national trend with shoplifting falling by 5% since 2023 with significant decreases in Shropshire (-15%) and North Worcestershire (-12%). Listening, acting and delivering on calls from business owners and communities, PCC John Campion has […]
PCC to put forward police budget proposals against a challenging backdrop
PCC John Campion will be attending the Police and Crime Panel meeting next week (Wednesday 5th February) to present his budget plans for West Mercia Police. The PCC will be looking to secure backing from the panel, to enable him to increase the council tax precept, to finalise the funding for policing and victim services. […]
Multi-million-pound police and fire hub opens its doors in Redditch
A landmark project that has delivered a brand-new state-of-the-art police and fire hub in the heart of Redditch is now completed. Opening its doors on Middlehouse Lane for the first time, the hub is now home to officers and staff from West Mercia Police and Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service (HWFRS) ensuring greater […]
PCC welcomes government increase in firearms licensing fees
The government has announced firearms licensing fees will increase for the first time since 2015. Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion has welcomed the move and the government’s decision to ensure police forces retain the fees to support improvements in firearms licensing, a U-turn on its original position. With the second highest number of shotgun […]
PCC supports a once in a generation chance for change
Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion is supporting proposals put forward by Worcestershire County Council to transition to a unitary authority. In a letter to the government’s minister for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Jim McMahon OBE MP, the PCC highlights now is the right time for change on both a local and national level. […]
Search for West Mercia Police Chief Constable is underway
Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion has started his formal process to recruit West Mercia Police’s next permanent Chief Constable. Appointing a Chief Constable is a key element of the PCC’s role, with this being an opportunity to build on the progress made since 2016 and deliver on the PCC’s new West Mercia Safer Communities […]
PCC seeks public support to protect policing
PCC John Campion has launched his annual consultation to seek views from the public on the council tax precept for policing and victim services. Following the government’s settlement announcement, on 17th December, the PCC said a rise in council tax was unavoidable. With the government grant not being enough to cover inflation, growing demand on […]
Centre which supports victims of sexual violence reopens following PCC investment
Ensuring victims of sexual violence get the best quality support, advice and medical care, upgrades to minimise contamination and preserve forensics have been delivered to a sexual assault referral centre (SARC) in Worcestershire. Accessible to anyone who has experienced rape or sexual assault, Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion has invested more than £350,000 to […]
PCC concerned about police funding shortfall following government settlement
PCC John Campion warns “council tax rises are inevitable” following shortfalls in the government’s police funding settlement announcement. The Minister of State for Policing, Fire and Crime Prevention, Dame Diana Johnson, has today issued her statement on the provisional police funding settlement for 2025/26. In this statement, alongside the Minister’s commitment to policing and keeping […]
Victims are being let down by crown court backlog says PCC
New figures show the backlog of crown court cases in West Mercia has hit an eight-year high. Ministry of Justice figures show there were 1,548 open cases waiting to be heard by crown courts in West Mercia as of the end of September. More than doubling since September 2019, before the Covid pandemic, when there […]
